After an unforgettable six days on safari, it was time to visit Cape Town for a few days. We had to fly Federal Air from Kruger National Park to Johannesburg (which I’ve already reviewed). From there we flew Comair from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
Continue reading: Review: British Airways Comair Business Class 737
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Love the fact that you wrote the plane registration (ZS-ZWR), Lucky! Why don’t you do it for your other trip reports?
I get that it was a short flight, but I'm surprised nobody ended up sitting in seat 2D...
Actually only a few south African airways planes have the 2-3 configurations in business class, when I lived in lusaka, I fly south African airways quiet often on their 320s and 319s, and both have been retrofitted with new business class seats in a 2-2 configuration and is quiet elegant looking and comfortable.
Typical service on Comair. The same on their 4hr flight to Mauritius. Nothing magical. Just going through the motions of what they have to do.
Notice how under “737-800” on the safety card it says “737-8” instead of 737-max8...
Older Comair planes (like you were on) have the classic 737 interior and Club class seats in a 2-3 configuration. The newer ones have the Sky Interior and Club class in a 2-2 configuration.
@Jake - That's because the plane isn't a MAX, it's an 800.
I always take BA over SAA on every route where they overlap. SAA is consistently bad, while BA (Comair) is usually pretty good, despite your indifferent crew on your flight.
My travel agent in Cape Town no longer even quotes me SAA prices when booking flights for me; as she understand that SAA isn't even a consideration for me anymore. SAA is really that bad.
ZS-ZWR is actually 20.5 years old. Originally delivered to Air Europa in 1999 it was then taken over by Kulula in 2011. 2014 was when it was registered with Comair. So a pretty old frame (not that it excuses the graffiti)! Also, it wasn’t long ago that BA operated a sub fleet of 737s out of Gatwick having had them in their fleet for many years! So a pretty common sight I would say!
@Lucky - If you've been to TPA recently, you might have seen an ex-BA 737 parked over there. I heard it's currently being converted. Is that plane apart of Comair or one of BA's ex 737s based in Gatwick?
I always think the markings on the tail and winglets look a bit out compared to the rest of BA. I assume they have some pretty hefty brand guidelines so they’re probably right but still!
What a contrast with BA's overpriced, degraded, cramped, under-catered European short/mid-haul
Have to say flown a few times , your right planes are getting tired . I flew down to CPT few weeks ago on the 737-800, whilst a newer plane they have now adopted the leaning middle seat free and offering a standard seat leg room . SLOW lounge is fab and have to say crew have always been great , attentive , offering drinks etc
I live in Cape Town but commute to Johannesburg for work. I refuse to fly on Comair and their low cost subsidiary kulula.com. Comair planes are ancient and generally in poor condition. They even use the 737-400 which in my opinion shouldn’t be used for passenger flights anymore. Their flights are almost always delayed, service is usually indifferent at best and the catering is poor. The worst two airlines in SA, in my humble opinion.
SAA actually has a pretty decent J product on some of their narrow-bodies. Much better than what's offered in the US.
Just got back to UKfrom a South Africa trip and got to fly both SAA and Comair domestically within South Africa. Comair thoroughly disappointing, the 737-800 felt ancient and very tired inside, and the crew were the same as described in this review, curt and surly with barely a smile. SAA much better cabin configuration, better looked after aircraft and very friendly crew.